retina detachment

[suecadm]

I have just today been diagosed with a detaching retina.  I can not get into the specialist until Thursday and i am scheduled to fly out that morning on 4 day vacation.  Can I safely fly before seeing specialist.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Agree, you should be seen as soon as possible for this eye emergency.  THere is a very strong chance You will  NOT be able to fly (for several weeks)  after the detachement is repaired, due to gas injected into the eye.  THis is VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW.  Discuss the sitation with your ophthalmologist in order to come up with a plan.  I suspect your vacation will be cancelled.

MJK MD

[berrywoo]

A detached retina is an EMERGENCY, so you should have gotten in to see the specialist today! Most ophthalmologists recognize this as an emergency and the referral to a vitreo-retinal specialist is immediate, on the same day! So you need to call the doctor's office ASAP and be examined by the retinal specialist.
If on the other hand you've misheard and have been diagnosed with a posterior vitreous detachment, waiting until Thursday is fine.